| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Zoarville Station Bridge | Camp Tuscazoar Trail Over Conotton Creek | Rural: Tuscarawas County, Ohio | Metal Pinned Fink Through Truss, Stationary | 1868 By Smith, Latrobe and Company of Baltimore, Maryland |
| Technical Facts |
| Alteration / Rehabilitation Dates | Truss Height (Incl. Floor Beams) | Structure Length | Deck Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1905, 2007 | 22.67 Feet (33.88 Meters) | 111.16 Feet (33.88 Meters) | 17 Feet (5.2 Meters) | 1 | None |
This bridge is well-known among historic bridge enthusiasts because it is such an important structure. The bridge has been disassembled for many years as it was restored. Today, the waiting is over. This bridge, one of only two remaining Fink truss bridges in the entire country now stands again as a testimony to the creativity and durability of the metal truss bridge as a bridge type. Because it is the last of its type, features unique engineering, uses Phoenix columns in its structure, and is ancient with an 1868 construction date, this is a bridge that is rivaled by few in terms of importance.
The bridge features the highly unusual Fink truss configuration. These endposts are vertical and utilize a modified Phoenix Column. Phoenix columns are also used for the top chord and vertical members. Phoenix columns were a special patented type of built-up member. Very few examples of them remain today.
The bridge is also noteworthy for its high levels of aesthetic value. Most notably, the portal of this bridge has a very unique and stunning design to it that makes standing before this bridge quite a visual experience.
This bridge was originally part of a three span structure at Canal Dover, Ohio. The existing span was recovered from that bridge and relocated in 1905. That crossing was abandoned in the 1940s, and no further changes occurred until the 21st century, when restoration of the bridge began.
The restoration of this bridge was done with excruciating attention paid to maintaining the historic integrity of the bridge. Unfortunately, some of the original materials were too deteriorated to use, but whenever something was replaced, it was replicated exactly, including the use of rivets. As a result, some of the Phoenix Columns are not original, but they have been designed identically to the originals.
The Historic American Engineering Record provides a quality historic and technical narrative for this structure, and notes some very interesting facts about the design of this structure. Viewing their data pages for this structure is highly recommended.
